Most people associate the term "cloud" with a computing instance that is run on a server in a data center. However, a cloud can also run locally at home or in a company on its own hardware. Nitrokey, the manufacturer of the well-known Security key, has now launched the Nextbox, which is designed to simplify setting up and running your own cloud. It is a mini-computer based on a Rasperry-PiThe cloud is based on a metal housing, which is delivered pre-configured with Nextcloud. The cloud can be used both in the local network and TLS-encrypted via the Internet.
In addition to the Raspberry Pi 4, which comes with a choice of 2.4 or 8 GB RAM, the Nitrokey Nextbox also comes with an additional board that enables a hardware reset at the touch of a button and a better-placed USB-C port. In the future, the Shield board will also be used to implement additional features.
Crowdfunding of the Nitrokey Nextbox
The Nitrokey Nextbox is financed via a Kickstarter campaign. Reached so far 5,462 euros (as of 02 February 2021) of the 10,000 euro high funding goal. Backers who contribute 189 euros to the development via Kickstarter will receive a Nextbox with 240 GB in return. SSD and 2 GB RAM, the top model with 2 TB SSD and 8 GB RAM costs 530 Euros on Kickstarter. According to the crowdfunding campaign, the Nextboxes will be delivered in April 2021.
According to Nitrokey GmbH, the development of a prototype is already completed. Only minor hardware changes to the housing and improvements in the stability and usability of the software are still necessary.
Nitrokey Nextbox uses Ubuntu
The compact cloud uses an Ubuntu Core image as the operating system, which was customized. In addition, there is the Nextbox daemon (Nextbox Snap). The Nextcloud was also modified for the Nextbox to allow configuration via the Nextcloud Nextbox app. The cloud setup should therefore be supplied without security updates. The setup of the cloud should therefore be possible without special technical knowledge.
The developers promise "long-lasting software updates" for the Nextbox, which should ensure that the hardware does not need to be replaced. These are to be applied automatically. As an example, Nitrokey mentions Ubuntu Core 18, for which security updates will be released until 2028.
